Less thinking, more hitting

Corey Patterson is going to try things his way this spring with an eye on winning the center-field job.

February 20, 2002|By Teddy Greenstein, Tribune staff reporter.

MESA, Ariz. — Meet the new Corey Patterson.

His hair is longer and his sideburns are more pronounced. But the real changes won't become apparent until Patterson steps on the field.

After two disappointing seasons, Patterson is determined to fulfill the potential that earned him a $3.7 million contract out of high school and made him a Baseball America cover boy.

And he has a new blueprint for success. When he steps to the plate, Patterson will block out the plethora of voices in his head and focus on just one--his own.

"I don't really blame anybody for me having some problems the past two years, because the bottom line is I'm the one holding the bat," he said. "You have to be a man and fess up.

"The coaches are trying to help you, but I got away from the things that made me successful in the first place. I want to use more of my ability instead of acting like a robot at the plate. The more you think, the more it slows your bat."

Patterson adopted the new frame of mind in the days after the 2001 season, during which Patterson batted just .221 with four homers in 59 games.

While clutching a bat, Patterson peered into a mirror and noticed something in his stance that triggered a recollection of his high school glory days.

"I said to myself, `You know what--I think I found something,'" Patterson recalled. "I think it will be a lot better, but who knows? If it doesn't work, this is [still] the way I'm going to do it. Whether it's baseball or anything you do, you have to make your own decisions, and whatever the outcome is, go from there."

Patterson made another bold decision over the winter. He replaced Chicago-based agent David Schwartz of CSMG Sports with Scott Boras.

"It was his own decision," said Patterson's father, Don, a former defensive back in the NFL. "He's 22 years old and has always been very mature for his age."

Patterson said he did not hire Boras for his renowned negotiating skills (See: Alex Rodriguez, $252 million). Rather, he liked that Boras, who also represents Cubs second-base prospect Bobby Hill, has several representatives who played in the pros.

"They've gone through the same thing you've gone through, and they know how to cope with it," he said.

Cubs manager Don Baylor noticed last season Patterson had trouble coping once he began to struggle.

"That's what can happen when you have 10 different hitting instructors," Baylor said. "Everyone has suggestions. I'm going to try to simplify things so we're not so mechanical about hitting.

"It's important Corey has a good spring for his confidence and so he doesn't have everyone telling him how to hit. He hasn't really been comfortable yet and this is his third year here."

With a good spring, Patterson will be named the Cubs' Opening Day center fielder.

"I'm not looking to prove anything," he said. "I can't guarantee anything, either, other than that I'll give it everything I have."